Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-01-27

Josephine" quite simply, ''he had not
penny left in the house. 1t was too
dreadful, sir.n
She paused n moment; then went on,
in the least degree nervously:
"Shall tell you what l didP"
''Yes."
II advertised, then, in. the county
paper-don't bc shocked, please. At
any rate, did it for the best-whether
right or wrong, | don't quite know"
"Go on"
81 merely said, then, that widow
and her daughters-all born to better
things, as it had seemed-were suddenly
thrown into the lowest depths Of pow
erty-and asked for help"
Uncle Fred gave sort Of slight nerv-
Gus start at this moment, but "Aiiss
Josephine" did not notice it. She was
thinking only at that instant of the ter
rible struggle which had urged her to
take such step as that which she was
now describing.
"And the resultp" he asked, quietly.
"What was itp"
"No answer came," she returned,
gravely, but earnestly. POSSIBLY
those who read the words did not
believe in their truth or possibly some
did SO who were not in a position to aid
u.s."
II see," and Uncle Fred spoke now,
as If dreamily. There l must leave
you, Miss Josephine. Very sorry for it
very sorry, indeed. Have just sud-
denly remembered something. You'll
excuse my running away thus abruptly;
won't youP Will be trife more court
eous next time. Horribly hard-hearted
of the people; wasn't II, Miss jose
phineP" And thus talking glibly-as
if, too, he did not exactly know what he
was saying-Uncle Fred lifted his hat
and disappeared.
The following Thursday morning,
Just as "Miss Josephine" was starting
for her usual daily occupation, letter
was placed in her hand by the postman;
after reading which, that young lady
marched deliberately upstairs again,
removed her hat and cloak, chased
away with her pocket-handkerchief 9
great many tears that for some reason
or other would insist upon pouring
down her cheeks, and then set to worl
to re-read the following words:
"DEAR Miss JOSEPHINE: Pardon my abrup
leave.talSng yesterday; but will now explain
Returning home expressly by way OF the post
ofiice, did small stroke OF business there OF
my own account ht
"Miss Elsie Falconbridge was out, havinI
gone to spend the evening with the widowed
and alas now childless mother Of her once
and so lately too, sailor lover. We have, how
ever, already spoken together-you and To
this unlooked.for event, and also OF the brav
way in which Miss Elsie bears the heavy blow
.But would now speak OF something else
SO selfish are we all In this world, you see.
persuaded the good dame, Janet Lisle, 70 assis
me insomething which was puzzling menot
4 little.
u u heard last evening, for the first time, ,
coursc--and also from your own lips, MOI
strange to say-that twenty. y.dollar note, whic
asking for aid mover reached you. II had no
I now find. miscarrled In tho ordinary way thi
? | letters do occasionally 60 astray; but II was Q
impossible, you will presently see, that 1t shoul
ever have reached your abode, rs the resident
OF one OF the ancient patriarchs.
"The letter containing the amount name
was, 1t appears, although placed in o registere
envelope for which duly paid, never di
patched; and In the hurry-skurry OF the M
ment II was never entered, either, in tho offci
book. The fault was, OF course, my own, qui,
as much as that Of any one else; but every or
was asking hurried questions at the momon
and my letter-yours, rather-paid the penalt
Then, as fate would have H. II landed itse
otherwise than in the legitimate post.bag, au
dropped, how, is best known to itself, behir
o drawer that is rarely opened.
"Forgive the details, however. Janet Lis
had only discovered the thus hdden.away mi
sive half aa hour before appeared upon II
scene-mark tho coincidcnce--and was In
state OF no little CONSERVATION.
Picture also my own dismay
The mystery, however, is now solved.
VI will not again tender tho amount for yo
acceptance, as there certainly seems 10
something unfortunate attending Its career
besides which, I, on my part, Gm going 10 asls
favor from yourself.
| VIII 1Out ubh, UtCDLt my WlItI-u0u III
kindly acknowledge promptly the receipt
this letter, or shall DO compelled to take II Z
granted that my second communication h
shared the fate OF my first.
"Miss Josephine" like wi
woman, answered the letter Just L
ceived by return of post,
The years have flown since then, a
matters go on much as usual In III
I small township Of Lammerton.
+ But there are changes, neverthclc!
u Janet Lisle knows her place no me
In the cozy little post-oflice. She h
already gone home long since to re
4 and sweet Elsie Falconbridge is nc
the mistress OF every thing. Her ha
however, though still beautiful, Is
. these days white--white as the driv
q snow and the abiding expression up,
4 her still handsome face Is that Of Of
who has passed through a mighty al
also terrible sca Of trouble, and bor
the trial only Ms a true heroine coul
Q She knows, she says, that God has {
r dered all, and that she shall SEQ h
: sailor lover again one day In Heave
s But there is still one person In t
k world whom she loves dearly, and III
r Is the happy, true-hearted wife
}, "Uncle Fred"
.s al owe all-eyery hit. IN fact-